Indicating door-bell



' (No Model.)

J. M. DAVIS. INDIGATING DOOR BELL.

No. 534,740. Patented Pebg'26, 1895.

NITEI) STATES ATENT FFICE.

JOHN M. DAYIS,'OF GREAT FALLS, MONTANA.

'lNDlCATlNG DOOR-BELL.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 534,740, dated February 26, 1895. Application filed April 17, 1894. Serial No, 507.843- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN M. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Great Falls, in the county of Cascade and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door-Indicators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of the present invention is the provision in a single organization of a door call or alarm, a response card or plate, and means for receiving cards of callers. The response card is observed through a sight opening in the door and is normally hidden from view by a shutter which is operated on pressing a button or other device to sound the alarm to uncover and permit the response card to be observed. Bythis means, that is, having the alarm mechanism connected with the device by means of which the shutter is operated, no one can learn the nature of the response Without first sounding an alarm thereby preventing evil minded persons from learning the absence of the inmates without first making known their presence by sounding the alarm.

In the assembling of the parts they will be conveniently disposed and may be located on the door jamb, the door or any convenient place. In the preferable disposition of the parts they are arranged on the inner side of the door so as to be readily accessible for re pairs, cleaning and for any other required purpose.

The improvement consists of the novel features and the peculiar construction and combination of the parts which hereinafter will be more fully described and claimed, and which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a vertical section of a door showing the application of the invention and the relative disposition of the parts. Fig. 2, is a detail view of the response card or plate showing the operation. of the shutter by dotted lines. Fig. 3, is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing the operative connections between the push button, the alarm mechanism and the shutter working device. Fig. 4, is an elevation of the indicating dial B.

Similar letters and numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 indicates a door call or alarm mechanism of suitable construction. In the present instance the alarm is operated by spring power and an escapement of the usual construction. A push bar 2 is provided near its inner end with a brake shoe 3 which is adapted to engage with the pallet of the escapement and hold the same in check when it is not desired to sound the alarm. On pushing the bar 2 inward the brake shoe 3 releases the escapement which through the train of gearing and the motor spring vibrates the hammer and. sounds the alarm.

The response card or plate A is movable, being preferably a dial having suitable responses around its periphery such as At home, Calling, Return soon, and other information desired to be con veyed to a caller. This dial or plate A is suitably housed and has connected with the same spindle to which the dial A is secured an indicating dial B which is provided with similar responses to those on the dial A so that the latter dial may be properly positioned to conveythe desired information to a caller.

The spindle to which the dials A and B are attached is provided with a knob b by means of which the said dials are rotated to bring the required response opposite the sight opening 0 in the door.

The shutterd is attached to an arm 5 which is pivoted at one end to the housing 6 which incloses the dial A, the shutter 4, and the shutter operating devices. A red 7 is provided with a short arm 8 which is engaged at its free end with a shutter arm 5 so that on a sliding movement of the rod 7 in theproper direction the shutter will be operated to uncover the response on the dial or plate A. A projection 9 near the outer end of the rod 7 is adapted to be engaged by an inclined portion on the push bar so that on operating the latter the rod 7 will be moved and uncover the response in the manner just described. A spring 10 is disposed so as to return the shutter 4 to its normal position to cover the response when the push button is released.

The sight opening 0 is conveniently located to be observed by the caller and is protected by glass or similar transparent substance to prevent tampering with the response mechanism. The alarm or call mechanism 1 may be located at any convenient point preferably contiguous to the response plate or card so that the push button mayhave directconnection with and operate the push bar 2 and the rod 7 and simultaneously cause a sounding of the alarm and an uncovering of the response.

It will be understood that where the alarm mechanism and the response devices are located at appreciable distances apart suitable connections will be provided and disposed so that on operating or pressing the button 11 both will be actuated at the same instant. Such connections are not referred to because they will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic in adapting the invention to certain locations and conditions.

The push button 11 has its shank or stem 12 provided with a cam or inclined portion 13 which is adapted to engage with the projection 9 and operate the rod 7 on pressing the button and produce a movement of the shutter in the manner herein set forth.

At a suitable point a card slip 14 is provided for the insertion of the cards of callers. A receptacle for receiving and supporting the cards is arranged on the inner side of the door to operate in connection with the slip opening 14 to retain the cards and expose the same to the view of the inmate or occupant of. the premises equipped with the invention. This receptacle 15 may be of suitable construction and as shown is formed from two wires which have their ends bent and let into the door.

The operation of the invention is as follows: The inmate or resident desiring to make a suitable response to a caller will move the dial or plateA to bring the proper response opposite the sight opening 0, the proper positioning of the response being determined by the indication dial B in connection with a suitably disposed indicating mark. A caller pressing upon the button or operating the device necessary to sound the alarm moves the shutter and the desired response comes to viewthrough the sight opening 0. If the in formation be Gall again the person deposits a card in the slip opening 14 thereby making known the name of the caller to the inmate.

I claim- 1. In combination a door having a sight opening, a movable response plate opposite the sight opening a movable shutter normally occurring between the sight plate and sight opening, an alarm mechanism attached to the door contiguous to the sight opening, and a button exterior to the door to be operated by a caller and having positive connection with the said shutter and alarm mechanism to simultaneously actuate both, substantially as described.

2. In combination, a door call or alarm mechanism, a response plate or dial, a pivoted arm provided with a shutter to close the sight opening through which the dial or plate is observed, a rod operatively connected with the shutter a spring to retain the shutter in a normal condition, and a button having its shank provided with an inclined or cam portion to engage with and operate the said rod to move the shutter and at the same time cause a sounding of the alarm, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, a door call or alarm mechanism, a response plate or dial, a shutter carried by a pivoted arm, a rod 7 having an arm pivotally connected with the shutter arm and having a projection near its free end, a spring to return the shutter to a normal, and a button provided with a cam portion to engage with the projection on the said rod to move the shutter simultaneously with the sounding of the alarm substantially as specitied.

4. In combination a door having a sight opening, a movable response plate opposite the sight opening, a pivoted shutter normally occurring between the sight opening and the response plate, an alarm mechanism contiguous to the sight opening, a push button having a cam portion to move the said shutter on pressing on the said button, and a rod operatively connected with the push button and having a shoe which normally holds the alarm mechanism when pressing upon the said button, substantially as specified.

5. In a door indicator, the combination of a door having a sight opening, a housing located opposite the opening, and two corresponding dials moving in unison and connected to the same knob, one dial within, the other exterior to the said housing, the inner dial having proper responses, and the outer dial adapted to facilitate the proper positioning of the dial carrying the responses, substantially as in the manner set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. DAVIS.

Witnesses: THOMAS E. BRADY, JOHN W. BELLIS. 

